A USAF’s F-15C jet fighter has successfully test fired a AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder advanced, infrared-guided air-to-air missile, as part of the missile’s developmental testing programme.
US Navy’s Air-to-Air Missile programme manager Captain Jeffrey Penfield said the AIM-9X Block II will give the warfighter an unparalleled advantage.
“AIM-9X Block II offers the warfighter a solution that combines maneuverability, off-boresight capability, speed and affordability,” Penfield said.
The F-15C with improved single-seat and all-weather air-superiority fighter version, has a wingspan of 42 ft 10 in (13.05 m).
The F-15C aircraft, originally produced being fitted with APG-70 radar, has been retrofitted to the AN/APG-63(V)1 configuration.
The AIM-9X Block II has been upgraded from the AIM-9X Block I with an addition of a lock-on-after-launch capability, redesigned fuze and a one-way forward-quarter datalink capability.
During the test conducted at the Air Force’s Eglin Air Force Base on 20 November, the weapon successfully guided and passed within lethal range of a BQM-74 target drone, meeting all primary test objectives.
